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    • Health and Lifestyles Survey
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      Health and Lifestyles Survey
      • All respondents
      • Alcohol
      • Eating
      • Gambling
      • Māori cultural identity
      • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Sun exposure
      • Tobacco
      • Vaping / e-cigarettes
      • Cultural connectedness
      • Te reo Māori
      • Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – very well
      • Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – well
      • Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – fairly well
      • Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – not very well
      • Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – just a few words / phrases
      Health and Lifestyles Survey Māori cultural identity Te reo Māori Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – not very well

      Te reo Māori

      Māori cultural identity

      Indicator: Ability to speak te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation – not very well

      Māori respondents who can only talk about simple or basic things in te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation.

        • Graphs
        • Data
      2020 Health and Lifestyles Survey

      This is the percentage of the population affected (that is, the unadjusted prevalence in the specified population).

      Estimated numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 people.

      Time trends

      This chart presents unadjusted results; that is the overall prevalence estimate for each survey year. Data points only appear where there is data available.

      The comparison between years is only available where the same questions were asked in more than one survey year.

      Age and sex

      Ethnicity (total)

      Total response ethnicity means that people who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • Missing bar in chart indicates insufficient sample size.

      Prevalence for selected indicator

      This table shows the percentage of the population affected.

      Show
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 37 ( 32.6 - 41.6 ) 37.7 ( 30.8 - 44.9 ) 36.5 ( 31.7 - 41.6 ) 218,000 ( 192,000 - 245,000 )
      Age group (years)
      16-24 38.7 ( 28.7 - 49.5 ) 43.3 ( 27.8 - 59.9 ) 34.1 ( 21.9 - 48.1 ) 52,000 ( 39,000 - 66,000 )
      25-44 40.4 ( 33.4 - 47.6 ) 39.8 ( 28.9 - 51.4 ) 40.9 ( 33.7 - 48.5 ) 90,000 ( 75,000 - 107,000 )
      45-64 36.5 ( 29.7 - 43.7 ) 35 ( 24.7 - 46.4 ) 38.4 ( 29.9 - 47.4 ) 58,000 ( 47,000 - 69,000 )
      65+ 24.6 ( 17.5 - 32.9 ) 25.3 ( 14.7 - 38.6 ) 24 ( 14.5 - 35.9 ) 18,000 ( 13,000 - 24,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 37 ( 32.6 - 41.6 ) 37.7 ( 30.8 - 44.9 ) 36.5 ( 31.7 - 41.6 ) 218,000 ( 192,000 - 245,000 )
      Pacific 30.5 ( 15.6 - 49.2 ) - - 25 ( 10.3 - 45.6 ) 11,000 ( 5,000 - 17,000 )
      Asian - - - - - - - -
      NZ European / Other 37.6 ( 31.7 - 43.7 ) 37.5 ( 29.2 - 46.2 ) 38 ( 31 - 45.5 ) 124,000 ( 105,000 - 145,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 36.6 ( 23 - 52 ) 37.1 ( 17.2 - 60.7 ) 35.9 ( 23.3 - 50.2 ) 49,000 ( 31,000 - 69,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 37.6 ( 32 - 43.5 ) 42 ( 33.3 - 51 ) 33.9 ( 26.9 - 41.5 ) 85,000 ( 72,000 - 98,000 )
      Most (8-10) 36.6 ( 30.1 - 43.6 ) 33.6 ( 24.4 - 43.9 ) 39.3 ( 31.6 - 47.4 ) 84,000 ( 69,000 - 100,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 40.4 ( 34.6 - 46.4 ) 42.7 ( 31.8 - 54 ) 38.3 ( 31.9 - 45.1 ) 209,000 ( 179,000 - 240,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 30.9 ( 16.6 - 48.6 ) - - 30.7 ( 17.2 - 47.2 ) 44,000 ( 24,000 - 69,000 )
      25-44 45.8 ( 37.2 - 54.6 ) 46.5 ( 31.3 - 62.2 ) 45.1 ( 33.8 - 56.8 ) 83,000 ( 67,000 - 99,000 )
      45-64 46.1 ( 35.3 - 57.3 ) 53.5 ( 36.4 - 70 ) 39.9 ( 27.8 - 53 ) 61,000 ( 46,000 - 75,000 )
      65+ 34.1 ( 18.4 - 52.7 ) 37.8 ( 12.9 - 68.5 ) 30.7 ( 11.6 - 56.4 ) 21,000 ( 11,000 - 32,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 40.4 ( 34.6 - 46.4 ) 42.7 ( 31.8 - 54 ) 38.3 ( 31.9 - 45.1 ) 209,000 ( 179,000 - 240,000 )
      Pacific 42.7 ( 13.7 - 76 ) - - - - 16,000 ( 5,000 - 28,000 )
      Asian - - - - - - - -
      NZ European / Other 38 ( 29.3 - 47.4 ) 36.9 ( 21.8 - 54 ) 39.2 ( 29.5 - 49.6 ) 104,000 ( 80,000 - 130,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 38.4 ( 24.4 - 54 ) 39.8 ( 16.5 - 67.2 ) 36.6 ( 20.2 - 55.7 ) 38,000 ( 24,000 - 54,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 48.8 ( 39.1 - 58.5 ) 63 ( 43.5 - 79.8 ) 38.4 ( 26.8 - 51.1 ) 80,000 ( 64,000 - 96,000 )
      Most (8-10) 35.9 ( 27.2 - 45.3 ) 32.2 ( 17.6 - 50 ) 39.2 ( 30.5 - 48.5 ) 90,000 ( 68,000 - 114,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 35.2 ( 30.4 - 40.3 ) 33.3 ( 25.8 - 41.4 ) 37 ( 30.5 - 43.8 ) 175,000 ( 151,000 - 200,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 34.1 ( 23.2 - 46.3 ) 27.6 ( 13.2 - 46.5 ) 40.7 ( 25.1 - 57.9 ) 47,000 ( 32,000 - 63,000 )
      25-44 40.7 ( 32.9 - 48.8 ) 37.6 ( 24.8 - 51.7 ) 43.3 ( 33.4 - 53.6 ) 72,000 ( 58,000 - 86,000 )
      45-64 33 ( 25.5 - 41.2 ) 35.3 ( 23.7 - 48.3 ) 31 ( 21.9 - 41.5 ) 47,000 ( 36,000 - 58,000 )
      65+ 23.3 ( 11.5 - 39.1 ) 28.4 ( 8.6 - 57.3 ) 19 ( 7.4 - 36.8 ) 10,000 ( 5,000 - 16,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 35.2 ( 30.4 - 40.3 ) 33.3 ( 25.8 - 41.4 ) 37 ( 30.5 - 43.8 ) 175,000 ( 151,000 - 200,000 )
      Pacific 41.6 ( 24.8 - 60 ) 36.7 ( 15.5 - 62.6 ) 51.4 ( 29.9 - 72.6 ) 17,000 ( 10,000 - 25,000 )
      Asian - - - - - - - -
      NZ European / Other 31.6 ( 25.1 - 38.7 ) 29.8 ( 20.4 - 40.8 ) 33.3 ( 23.6 - 44.3 ) 88,000 ( 70,000 - 108,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 29.9 ( 18.8 - 43 ) 30.4 ( 16.6 - 47.3 ) 29.4 ( 12 - 52.6 ) 29,000 ( 18,000 - 41,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 32.7 ( 24 - 42.3 ) 31.6 ( 16.5 - 50.2 ) 33.6 ( 23.1 - 45.4 ) 63,000 ( 47,000 - 82,000 )
      Most (8-10) 40 ( 33.8 - 46.5 ) 36.4 ( 27.3 - 46.4 ) 43.1 ( 35.1 - 51.3 ) 83,000 ( 70,000 - 96,000 )

      The estimated number of people is the value that is inferred for that population based on data collected from the survey sample. Estimated numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 people.

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the prevalence or mean estimates reflect the actual percentage or mean of the population affected in each time period.
      • Total response measure of ethnicity was used. People who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
      • Dashes indicate insufficient sample size.

      Subgroup Comparison (2020)

      Adjusted prevalence ratios are used to compare the results for different population subgroups. An adjusted ratio above 1 shows that the indicator is more likely, and an adjusted ratio below 1 shows the indicator is less likely, in the group of interest (e.g. Māori) than the reference group (e.g. non-Māori), after adjusting for demographic variables that could influence the association.

      Show

      Kaupapa Māori consistent data analysis planning was supported by Māori and Pasifika advisors at Health New Zealand. In alignment with Kaupapa Māori research and Te Tiriti ō Waitangi principles, comparisons were made between ethnic groupings in order to identify ethnic inequities.

      Equity-based ethnicity is only used for comparisons and is another form of total response. Unlike total response, which compares one ethnic group with everyone else in the sample, equity-based ethnicities compare Māori to non-Māori and non-Pacific. The same comparison group is used for Pacific peoples.

      Adjusted ratios
      Population groups being compared Ratio (95% CI) Adjustment variables
      Sex
      Women vs men 0.98 ( 0.79 - 1.2 ) Age
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Most deprived vs least deprived 0.99 ( 0.65 - 1.5 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Most deprived vs least deprived 0.89 ( 0.46 - 1.71 ) Age
      Women: Most deprived vs least deprived 1.07 ( 0.71 - 1.62 ) Age

      For example, an adjusted ratio of 1.50 for Māori vs non-Māori means that the indicator is 1.5 times more likely in Māori than non-Māori, after adjusting for differences in demographic variables such as sex and age.

      A highlighted value indicates that the adjusted ratio is statistically significant ( p value < .05).

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • This table gives comparisons as adjusted prevalence ratios.
      • Population groups being compared are based on total ethnicity.
      • Neighbourhood deprivation groups are least (1 - 3), mid (4 - 7) and most deprived (8 - 10).
      • The model for neighbourhood deprivation used prioritised ethnicity as an adjustment variable.
      • Dashes indicate that reliable estimates are unavailable due to, for example, an insufficient sample size or unusually wide confidence interval.

      Changes over time

      This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the prevalence estimates reflect the actual percentage for the specified population in each survey year. Statistically significant differences between years are shown in bold ( p value < .05).

      Show
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2016 2018 2020 2016 and 2020 2018 and 2020
      Total 35.2 40.4 37 .602 .373
      Men 33.3 42.7 37.7 .411 .457
      Women 37 38.3 36.5 .922 .669
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 34.1 30.9 38.7 .556 .424
      25-44 40.7 45.8 40.4 .956 .344
      45-64 33 46.1 36.5 .523 .147
      65+ 23.3 34.1 24.6 .868 .325
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 35.2 40.4 37 .602 .373
      Pacific 41.6 42.7 30.5 .372 .501
      Asian - - - - -
      NZ European / Other 31.6 38 37.6 .198 .935
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 29.9 38.4 36.6 .489 .862
      Mid (4-7) 32.7 48.8 37.6 .368 .052
      Most (8-10) 40 35.9 36.6 .471 .898
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2016 2018 2016 and 2018
      Total 35.2 40.4 .189
      Men 33.3 42.7 .176
      Women 37 38.3 .772
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 34.1 30.9 .756
      25-44 40.7 45.8 .394
      45-64 33 46.1 .058
      65+ 23.3 34.1 .337
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 35.2 40.4 .189
      Pacific 41.6 42.7 .953
      Asian - - -
      NZ European / Other 31.6 38 .267
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 29.9 38.4 .383
      Mid (4-7) 32.7 48.8 .018
      Most (8-10) 40 35.9 .461
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Population group 2016
      Total 35.2
      Men 33.3
      Women 37
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 34.1
      25-44 40.7
      45-64 33
      65+ 23.3
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 35.2
      Pacific 41.6
      Asian -
      NZ European / Other 31.6
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 29.9
      Mid (4-7) 32.7
      Most (8-10) 40

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • Total response measure of ethnicity was used. People who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
      • Dashes indicate that the data is not available.

      Indicator definition

      Māori respondents who can only talk about simple or basic things in te reo Māori in day-to-day conversation.

      Question:
      How well are you able to speak Te Reo Māori in day-to-day conversation?
      (Very well - I can talk about almost anything in Te Reo Māori / Well - I can talk about many things in Te Reo Māori / Fairly well - I can talk about some things in Te Reo Māori / Not very well - I can only talk about simple/basic things in Te Reo Māori / No more than a few words or phrases)
      Interpretation notes
      Change in response rate

      Lower response rates in 2018 than in 2016 and 2020 among young (15 to 24 years) male Māori, young male NZ European/Other, young female Asian, and older (55+ years) male Asian respondents mean that comparisons of 2018 data with 2016 and 2020 should be made with caution. We recommend focusing on longer-term trends where possible.

      Impacts of Covid

      Interviewing for the 2020 Health and Lifestyles Survey was delayed for five months due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Interviewing was then suspended twice in the Auckland region in response to the alert level being raised to level 3. At all other times, interviewing took place at alert levels 1 and 2 with additional COVID-19 precautions in place. It is unclear what impact the delays to the survey and the pandemic response have had on the data. No adjustments have been made to account for the impacts of these delays and the pandemic response.

      Navigation

      Topic: Māori cultural identity

      Subtopic: Te reo Māori

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

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